Hill People Gear Tarahumara vs. Deuter Strike

Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.

Hill People Gear Tarahumara

Front facing view of the Hill People Gear Tarahumara
Capacity16 L
Weight0.7 kg
Dimensions43×23×10 cm
Airline fit96%
Price$175

Feature by feature

Hill People Gear TarahumaraFeatureDeuter Strike
Storage
2 Compression N
None Expanded Capacity 33L
0 Opening 4
back Passport N
N Passthrough N
Carry
Y Backpack Y
removable Hip Belt removable
Y Sternum Strap Y
Inside
N Laptop N
2 Main Compartments 1
N Organizer Y
Outside
× Hard Shell ×
N Rain-fly N
2, side Water Bottle Holder 2
Y Water Resistant Y
Material
500d CorduraPES 600 Coat, 600D PES

Deuter Strike

Front facing view of the Deuter Strike
Capacity30 L
Weight1.3 kg
Dimensions46×29×25 cm
Airline fit40%
Price$128

Key differences between the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and Deuter Strike

Both have: backpack straps, hip belt, sternum strap, water resistant.

Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on

We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 76 accept both. 105 accept only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara, and 0 accept only the Deuter Strike.

Only the Hill People Gear Tarahumara fits

Aer Lingus, Air Asia, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Air China, Air Macau, Air Malta, Air Niugini, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Air Tahiti, Air Wisconsin, AirAsiaX, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Austrian, Avianca , Azerbaijan Airlines, Bahamasair, Bangkok Airways, Belavia, Biman Bangladesh, Blue Air, Brussels Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cambodia Angkor Air, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, CommutAir, Delta Airlines, Dragonair, easyJet, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Eurowings, EVA Air, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, flybe, Garuda Indonesia, Great Lakes Airlines, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Icelandair, InselAir, jetBlue Airways, Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, Juneyao Airlines, Kulula, Liat Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Luxair, Mahan Air, Malaysia Airlines, Mango, Meridiana Fly, Mesa Airlines, Nordwind Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Pakistan International, Porter Airlines, Qantas Airways, Regional Express, Republic Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Ryanair, S7, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Skywest, Inc., South African Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Sun Express, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), Tiger Airways, Trans States, TUI, Turkish Airlines, Ukraine International, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, VIM Airlines (Closed), Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Volotea, WestJet, Xiamen.

Few carry on backpacks capture the rugged, outdoor appeal quite like the Hill People Gear Tarahumara and the Deuter Strike. They're both built for the road and designed to withstand the rigors of travel. However, they also offer different perks which set them apart.

The Hill People Gear Tarahumara is a intriguing proposition for those who value lightness and compactness. Weighing in at 0.7 pounds, it comfortably dwarfs the 1.3 pounds of the Deuter Strike. It's taller than the Deuter Strike, which, complemented by its slimmer width and lesser depth, offers a sleeker design. Plus, it's made of 500D Cordura, a material known for its durability, and offers 16 liters of capacity. However, what probably sets it apart the most is its compatibility with all airlines, a feature quite essential for a carry-on backpack.

On the contrary, the Deuter Strike comes in with a broader dimension and a heavier weight. Nevertheless, it accommodates more, clocking in at a roomy 30 liters of capacity. Made of PES 600 Coat, 600D PES, it exhibits comparable durability as the Tarahumara. Unfortunately, it falls short on airline compatibility, working with just under half of them.

As far as performance and impressions go, reviewers for the Tarahumara commended its build quality, its 'elegantly simple' design, and its surprising TARDIS-like capacity. It's well-suited for various uses thanks to its convenient center zip and robust build.

Although there is less review data on the Deuter Strike, based on its sturdy material and larger capacity, it certainly has its own charms. Depending on your use case - whether you prefer a lightweight, slimmer design with the Tarahumara, or the spaciousness of the Strike, both have their merits. Ultimately, it boils down to personal preference and your specific travel needs. Choose wisely and tread lightly.